Opioid is an umbrella term used to refer to several types of drugs — from heroin to prescription medications designed to treat moderate to severe pain, including morphine, OxyContin, methadone, and Vicodin. Their common denominator is that they all derive from the opium poppy plant — and are all highly addictive.
Opioid Addiction
The reason why opioids are so addictive is because they interact with receptors on nerve cells located throughout the body. This blocks pain signals and releases dopamine — a neurotransmitter that causes a person to feel pleasure. While, generally, most of them are safe to take for a short period of time, the feeling of relaxation or euphoria can lead to a desire to use them regularly — either in larger doses than prescribed, or by using someone else’s prescription or purchasing them illegally without a prescription.
Misusing opioids can slow down a person’s breathing and lead to hypoxia — a condition that causes too little oxygen to reach the brain. This could lead to permanent brain damage and/or death. However, withdrawal should be done with medical supervision, as symptoms can be severe and dangerous, including anxiety, abdominal cramping, agitation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Injection Therapy for Opioid Addiction
Injectable medication therapy is a viable alternative for people who haven’t been able to experience any relief from traditional forms of treatment. It is also a good option for those with underlying medical conditions that make it difficult or impossible to swallow pills.
What to Expect
When you first visit one of our Infusion Associates locations, you will meet with one of our healthcare professionals to discuss the details of your therapy. This includes medications, dosage amount, length of each treatment, and possible side effects. This is also a good time for you to bring up all of your questions and concerns.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll notice they’ve been designed to make you feel as comfortable as possible. You’ll receive your treatment while sitting in a reclining chair. We also provide blankets, warm beverages, WiFi, and TV. You may bring a loved one to keep you company, as well as your favorite snacks. You’ll also have either a nurse or a doctor monitoring your treatment to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Common Medications to Treat Opioid Addiction
There are several medications used to treat opioid addiction. These include:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Vivitrol (naltrexone)
Side Effects
As with any prescription medication, there is always a risk of side effects. They vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. Which ones may affect you also depend on the type of medication you’re receiving. The most common ones include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Muscle cramps
- Sleeping difficulties
- Cold symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Toothache
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Injection Therapy for Opioid Addiction, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed therapy in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a registered pharmacist on-site to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.